Low cost firewood vouchers will start being sold on Tuesday, May 2 at the Humboldt Senior Resource Center (HSRC) located at 1910 California Street in Eureka.Households with an individual 55 or older and living on a low to moderate income are eligible to purchase up to two vouchers.Once purchased, vouchers can be redeemed for one cord of wood per voucher at the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program (SWAP) lot in Eureka starting on May 13.After the initial sale, additional cords of wood will be available for purchase later in the year.

A pick up day will be assigned at the time of purchase or a delivery driver can be assigned for an additional fee.For pick up days, SWAP staff and attendees at the lot will direct and load your wood for you.The wood will be stacked in your vehicle loosely.A cord of wood is 4 feet by 4 feet by 8 feet stacked. Smaller trucks may need to make multiple trips.If using a delivery driver, a fee is paid to the driver when wood is delivered and is based on location. Drivers will deliver from Rio Dell to Patrick’s Point.

Effort is made to ensure the wood is between 16 and 18 inches long.The type and quality of wood varies, ranging from pine to madrone, to redwood to oak and more.Some of the wood may have been cut months ago; others may have been cut the day before pick up.There is no guarantee in the type or quality received.Historically people usually get a mixture.

Vouchers are priced on a sliding scale costing between $78-121 (tax included in the fee) based upon the purchaser’s household size and monthly household income.Proof of age and income are required.Bring an identification document such as a driver’s license and documentation to prove your total household income such as a 2016 tax return, a Social Security award letter, two current pay check stubs, or a bank statement showing direct deposits of income. Payment for the vouchers can be made by cash or local check only.

Vouchers are available for purchase at HSRC Tuesday through Friday from 9:00a.m.-2:30p.m. until vouchers are sold out.

For more information, contact Tasha Romo, Nutrition and Activities Program Manager at (707) 443-9747 ext. 1228 or Activities at ext. 1240.

Speaking of “Growers CHUMP, how was your harvest this year??? You disappeared at the start of “Harvest Season”, then mysteriously reappear at the END of it!!! Looks to me like a bit of “Smoke & Mirrors” on your part!!! Why not just come out of the closet CHUMP??? No one is buying your BULLSH!T!!!

“A recent study found that when particulate pollution from residential wood burning was at its highest, the risk of heart attacks in seniors rose by 19%. According to McGill University professor Scott Weichenthal, lead author of the study, “We noticed that the association was stronger when more of the air pollution came from wood burning.” quoted from
Doctors and Scientists against Wood Smoke Pollution
Whats wrong with this seniors organization they need to learn the facts Heating with wood is not a healthy choice.

Bill, Just reading your comment makes me feel that you are one ignorant idiot. When a 75 year old man comes in to buy a cord of wood do you think he give a tinkers damn what some fake news organization came up with? All he wants to do is get a cord of firewood for the only heat source in his house that he is no longer able to get himself. Tell you what…Why don’t you find out who this man is and remodel his 75 year old home and get him something cheaper than firewood for a heat source. If you can’t do that then take your comments and stfu!

Wood burning creates toxic air pollution that is unhealthy for anyone to breathe. There is no level of outdoor air pollution and particulate matter (which are both classified as Group 1 carcinogens) that is known to be without health impacts.

Seniors are among the populations that are at a special risk from exposure to any smoke. There are always healthier alternatives to burning wood. Using cleaner, non-wood burning heating sources helps to protect the air that senior citizens and other community members all share.

If the Humboldt Senior Resource Center truly cares about seniors’ health and well-being, the organization must make a choice to do the responsible thing, and stop participating in this misguided program that promotes harmful wood-burning pollution.

Humboldt County public officials and the Humboldt Senior Resource Center need to care about protecting clean air for all, and must start actively supporting the right of seniors and all community members to breathe healthy air that is 100% wood smoke-free.

C Baiton, Read the above comment and do the same thing I suggested for Bill ….stfu or pay the price of remodeling the old guys house. How ignorant are people? Judging from some of the comments from people who have never had to live from month to month and only have one heat source I would say there are a bunch of them running around HSU getting their 5th degree in minding other peoples business!

The last sale of vouchers was a free for all. People crowding the halls for hours only to find they could only buy a cord, which was way less than most people need. This is generally not a lot of good quality wood. You have to burn a lot of it.

If they could only get a second cord in December, they would have either burn wet wood as the wood lot does not cover their wood or save it for next year if they have enough in storage already to get by this winter. If they could get it at all. Not having the surety means being unable to plan ahead for next winter. Or finding oneself trying to get wood way too late.